Value of Japanese rifle?

[rfr...@gmail.com]

We're about to `inherit' a Japanese army rifle, model 99 w/bayonet and scabbard. I think it's very rusty, but can clean that up if necessary. I think the stock's cracked or broken, also.

Would this have some value?


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[Gunner Asch]

Some value indeed. How much..thats a question

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Value_of_an_all_original_arisaka_type_99

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=87872

Etc etc...

1. Is the stock simply cracked..or is it broken in half?
2. Is there a little flower shaped stamping on the top of the
receiver..or has it been badly scratched or ground away?

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv97/nhblaze/mum.jpg

Or does it look like this?:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Arisaka_Type_99_mum.jpg


3. Does it still have the monopod?

http://picturearchive.gunauction.com/4906213254/5611893/Jap%20Type%2099%20Monopod.JPG

4. Does the bayonet actually fit onto the rifle? (sometimes the baynoet
with the gun doesnt actually fit...different rifle)

5. Does the inside of the barrel have lots and lots of rust or is badly
pitted?
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/HUNTER223/BLASTERM4006pitting.jpg?t=1213612778

6. While the rifle is "rusty"..is the metal (once the rust has been
carefully cleaned off properly)..pitted badly?

http://picturearchive.gunauction.com/2579222929/9139549/fwin73rusty%20%283%29.jpg_thumbnail1.jpg

Or more like this?

http://files.myopera.com/debplatt/albums/862998/rifle.jpg

7. And is the bayonet in good condition?

http://www.freewebs.com/myguncollection/photos/Card%20Pics/bayonet%20Type30.jpg

Or is it a rusty mess?
http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/7077/7077,1129204242,1/stock-photo-old-rusty-knife-625617.jpg

If the bayonet is in good shape..and the rifle is in poor shape..the
bayonet may be worth more money than the rifle is.

Ive purchased Arisaka rifles for $50-150..and have paid $75-250 for a
good bayonet. Shrug

Take some pictures, post em on Picasa..and we can get a better idea of
what you have and its value.

Btw..the Arisaka is a very strong and decently made rifle. Ive converted
a number of them to various types of hunting and sporting rifles over
the years. A bit of rust pitting doesnt hurt anything other than
collectors value and if one converts one..there is no collectors value.

Ive got an absolutely mint "last ditch" version of your rifle, quickly
made with fixed sights, a wooden recoil pad ..but an unground mum, no
bayonet lugs...and I figure its worth about $250 at most to most
people..a true Arisaka collector might pay more. They are rather rare,
particularly in this condition..because it was a late late war rifle
made to keep fight invading Americans. But..its not worth much more than
that.

Others here will be able to help out perhaps better.

Gunner

[Larry Fishel]

On May 13, 4:22=A0pm, rfra...@gmail.com wrote:
# We're about to `inherit' a Japanese army rifle, model 99 w/bayonet and sc=
abbard. =A0I think it's very rusty, but can clean that up if necessary. I t=

hink the stock's cracked or broken, also.

Don't clean any rust until you get a better idea of what you have! If
it's a "rusty" model 99, the rifle is PROBABLY not worth worrying
about, but if it happens to be a valuable version, cleaning the "rust"
will destroy much of the value...

Pictures would be VERY helpful.

[rfr...@gmail.com]

Thanks for comments. We don't have it yet. Still an expectant `inheritor', pacing the shop floor.

[Sheldon]

<rfr...@gmail.com> wrote in message news:jotv19$in3$1...@news.albasani.net...
#
# Thanks for comments. We don't have it yet. Still an expectant `inheritor',
# pacing the shop floor.
#

I was watching that show where those guys walk around with a metal detector
and then sell the stuff they find. At one point they found a very rusted old
revolver that was nothing but a frame, barrel and cylinder -- no way could
it ever be restored. But, I think the gun was worth $3,000!

As the other poster said, don't clean it up just yet.